Mommy Moments

Welcome to Mommy Moments! Last week we had some great new link ups, and guess what? We made it past 100 link ups! HOORAY! You all are awesome! Let's keep it up by sharing and promoting Mommy Moments and the wonderful community we have here! I have enjoyed getting to know all the new mamas linking up and sharing their lives with us! I can't wait to hear more from you all again this week!

Motherhood has its seriousness and frustration as well as its laughs. That's why we are here. Life is much easier when traveled with companions! So mamas, let's join together in the spirit of motherhood and share our moments together. We want to hear the happy, sad, tough, terrible, hilarious moments that make being a mother the best job in the world!

 The top viewed link this week belongs to Baldwin Brood and her 25 week baby bump update! Make sure you stop by to meet Allie and read all about her pregnancy so far! 

The Life Of Faith

 The Not Quite Military Wife

Beautiful Family Affairs, 

 Like A Morning Cup Of Coffee

Now, link up your post!

Post can include anything related to mommy-hood, children, homemaking, pregnancy etc. If you aren't a mom yet, feel free to link up your preparation for motherhood, your journey as you try to conceive, or even a post that would be encouraging to the other moms in the party!

Then, explore some of the other posts in the link-up and say hello to some new blog friends! 

Please, pretty please, we'd love it if you would tweet or share the link up on Facebook so we can all make even more friends!

Tweet

We would also love it if you could add the Mommy Moments button to your post or blog so everyone knows where you are linking up! If you are not able to copy/paste the code on your page, please e-mail one of us and we would be happy to send you the code!

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P.S. We will be having a new guest host every week! Want to be a guest host of the Mommy Moments Blog Hop? Send Faith a message at farmprincess14{at}gmail{dot}com. We would love to have you!

Colossians 3:17 
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

An InLinkz Link-up

What makes me a confident mom.

I cannot believe we are already at an end to another series of "The One year and beyond" Link up. I so hope you have not only enjoyed linking up with us but you got some great tips as well!! I know I certainly did. 

We will be breaking this month to take a little break. This also gives Sarah and I time to discuss fun topics for round #3!! 

Out of all the topics we had for this series this is the one I was looking forward to the most! Not just writing about it but hearing your thoughts as well. 

I honestly can't believe we reached an end once again for The One year and beyond link up. But don't loose heart! We're not ending it. We'll just be taking a tiny break this Month so Sarah and I can prepare for the next topics while slowly preparing for our new little ones to enter the world come November and December. 

A confident mom. I wasn't always one and the reason why I wasn't always confident is because I let comparison take it from me. I was caught up in that lie.

I'd be on facebook/pinterest/instagram and without thought I'd slip into the trap. The trap of mistaking every mom on there is perfect and  Evelynne is stuck with me.

So, how am I different now? Oh, how I wish I could explain to you in person how I've changed. How comparison no longer has victory over me.

I wish we could have coffee together in a nice quiet coffee shop so I could tell you on a more personal level of why and how I'm a confident mom. Because the answer I have to share is truth and easily contagious.

But because we obviously can't have a coffee date today writing on here will have to do.

I'm not confident because of me or who I am. In fact on my own I'm so clueless and scattered into a million pieces. And until now I was a mom who was just surviving. And that was my goal.

I would tell everyone who asked me how I was doing and not really realizing how doubtful I sounded I would say with bags under my eyes "It's just all about survival for me now."  And I honestly believe I'm not the only mom has ever felt that way because motherhood really is a tiring job. It's constantly busy and most of the time demanding.  I remember waking up every morning just feeling tired and speaking that over my day. "Man, I'm so tired" I'm already ready for this day to be over".

Now, I know the secret to being a confident mom and like I said it's not me. It's nothing I do or have done but it's who I put my trust in. Moms the secret to being a confident mom is knowing who God is and who He is in you!

I've tried to do it on my own so many times.. But at the end of the day I was always exhausted, always doubted myself and I was never good enough. But praise God that He is enough. He sustains me.

What makes me a confident mom or just even a confident woman in general. It's knowing who I am in Christ.

Not dwelling on the mistakes I've made but just trying my hardest every day and giving Him the glory for it and knowing that in Him I will not fail.

 I think the biggest problems we have as moms is not that we're doing it wrong but we're putting all of motherhood on ourselves which runs us dry. But God wants to be our help.

So, here are some ways I find my confidence in God and how I'm confident in Him.

I try to meet with Him every morning//  I took a long break from doing this and went four months barely making it so starting last week I went back to waking up an hour or two before Evelynne and got in the word and listened to worship and writing.. I haven't been completely faithful with this all week but I'm going to continue to try and wake up because it really does make such a difference in my daily life. It's so much more refreshing and joyful when I wake up peacefully and not rushing around.

I remember scripture//  There is so much good stuff for us in there to dwell on and remember. Here are a few that keeps my mindset on focus.

 

Speak life over your day// It's so true that life and death are in the power of your tongue. So speak life over your day even when it feels like your day is off to a bad start. This pregnancy has been so tiring lately and all I've said every day was how tired I felt but recently God has been challenging me to remember that He gives me rest. So, I try to remember to speak God's strength over my day.

  How do you feel confident as a mom?  Check out the other mama's blogs for even more on this!  And be sure to link up with us below if you also have a post on this.  

Like a Morning Cup of Coffee// From Here to Eternity// The Not Quite Military Wife//

A Cowboy's Life// My Delicious Adventure// Sadie Sky Boutique// Meet the Sullivan's//

Love and Life//  Foxy's Domestic Side// Everyday Love// Life of Faith

July 10:  Keeping your marriage alive with a toddler

July 17:  Favorite summer toddler activities

July 24:  Helping Your Toddler to Communicate (Words, emotions, etc.)

July 31:  Dealing with Separation Anxiety

Aug 7:    Car Trip Necessities

Aug 14:  Deciding when the time is right for baby #2 (and/or how to handle these questions)

Aug 21:  Tricks for eating out with your toddler

Aug 28:  Feeling confident as a mom (How to feel this way, Your struggle with, etc.)

An InLinkz Link-up

Check Please!!

Evelynne loves being out and about. She is actually at her best when we go out and do things. I guess it's because she loves seeing and being around new places and because she loves food so much eating out wasn't always a major struggle. That was until she became a toddler LOL

She still loves food and she still loves and prefers to be out. But now that she's walking and has that curiosity where she wants to touch, feel and run everywhere she pleases eating out has been a  little bit hard. So after doing some research and watching what the other mamas did before me. I found a few things that helped.

1. Bring extra food// My daughter is a snacker. She is never a big eater in one sitting because I don't thing she has the attention span for a whole sitting unless the whole family is there to keep her entertained. But she catches up with snacks and I think she prefers it that way. So when we go out I always pack with me some sliced fruit, veggies, smoothies, crackers and fruit snacks. I also pack  cheeses and stuff just in case she decides she doesn't want what I had ordered for her. Yes, that does happen. She can be s picky sometimes to where she would prefer the cheese, meat and crackers over pizza.

2. Bring quiet toys// Bringing quiet toys is a must such as books, crayons and paper, Evelynne must have her bear at all times, and she loves cars. So she'll read her books, or run her cars on the table while we wait for our food.

3. Keep them in the conversation// No matter who I'm out to lunch/dinner with I always try to keep Evelynne in the conversation. Whether it be asking her how her milk is, or asking her if her meal is good. That way she feels included and her mind stays on mama and playing at the table even longer..

4. Have walking sessions// If you wouldn't be in anyone's way have a walking time with your toddler so they don't get restless. Show them the things they're interested in like the paintings on the wall, or the waterfall. Maybe even take her/him outside for a little bit to get some fresh air.

5. Be consistent and understanding// No means no when you tell them no and also be understanding to how long they've been sitting. It takes a lot  for  a toddler to sit still for longer then 15 minutes.

These are things that have helped us have victory with taking out toddler out to eat however, we still have moments when we say "Check please!!" And run out of the restaurant with our to-go boxes praying that no one we know saw us! ;)

  What is your secret trick to eating out with your little one?  Check out the other mama's blogs for even more tips!  And be sure to link up with us below if you also have a post on this.  

Like a Morning Cup of Coffee// From Here to Eternity// The Not Quite Military Wife//

A Cowboy's Life// My Delicious Adventure// Sadie Sky Boutique// Meet the Sullivan's//

Love and Life//  Foxy's Domestic Side// Everyday Love// Life of Faith

July 10:  Keeping your marriage alive with a toddler

July 17:  Favorite summer toddler activities

July 24:  Helping Your Toddler to Communicate (Words, emotions, etc.)

July 31:  Dealing with Separation Anxiety

Aug 7:    Car Trip Necessities

Aug 14:  Deciding when the time is right for baby #2 (and/or how to handle these questions)

Aug 21:  Tricks for eating out with your toddler

Aug 28:  Feeling confident as a mom (How to feel this way, Your struggle with, etc.)

An InLinkz Link-up

Little girl #2 update

Dearest Darling, Words can't even describe how blessed we are as a family to know that you're coming.. Making a us a family of four. You are such a gift and watching you grow inside of me, kicking me, and moving fills me with butterflies. I am in love with you!

We've started preparing a place for you and it makes me giddy. You and Evelynne are going to be the cutest roommates ever and  know without a doubt that you guys are going to love sharing a room.

You are growing so much. I feel like I officially look pregnant now and it was literally in a weeks timing. :)

 

I'm looking forward to holding you my sweet girl.. I'm so excited to know that I'm getting closer every day! Can you believe we're more then half way there?? Apart of me is super excited and at peace and the other side of me wants to get things done asap! 

 My prayer for you this morning sweet girl is you will always know who you are in Christ.. Don't ever let anyone look down on you because you are young but set the example in speech, life, love and in purity. You're gonna go far kiddo!!

Baby R's Stats

How far along: 22 weeks!

Sleep: I've been having the weirdest pregnancy dreams!! Once again I've been having dreams about Panera Bread not giving me my food... and for the first time I had a dream I was pole dancing on my neighbors stair railing.... Ummmmm..

Maternity Clothes: Maternity and maxi skirts. Love me some maxi. :)

Food cravings: It's so different every day. I'm still loving pizza. I've also been craving watermelon and carrots with ranch.

 
Food aversions: I've recently discovered that the #7 chick-fil-a  grilled chicken and I are officially broken up. It used to be my favorite sandwich there but the last two times I went there it has made me nauseous. I'm liking the fried though and so is Evelynne. I think she would always prefer fried though. I'm just that mean mama who gets her the grilled.. Can't do that now that I'm eating fried because I don't want to be a hypocrite. ;)

Symptoms I HAVE: Just soreness really and nasuea here and there but other then that I feel wonderful.

Doctor’s Appointment: had a sonogram in these last two weeks so It was fun seeing my sweet girl twice. The first was a gender sonogram and that day they called me telling me they wanted to do another sonogram that Monday due to the fact it seemed as though her fluids were really low. But just as we prayed and expected my girl is swimming in a pool lol.

Movement: Kicks! Full powerful kicks and I'm loving every second!! I usually only feel her at night so it's a nice bonding moment between her and I. And Leon got to see/feel her kick for the first time last week and he was amazed by how strong she was. It looks like we're gonna have a strong yet calm little girl on our hands.

Belly Button: We're half way out there people. :)

Name: We finally have a name!! And will be releasing it on the blog within the next few weeks.

Best moment of the last few weeks: Getting to show Evelynne the sonogram pictures and watching her kiss her little sister. She now kisses my belly too.. It's sooo cute!!! I love my little loves.

Also, getting to watch Leon bond with our new daughter my feeling her kick. Gotta love a man who has a love for his daughters. *Swoon. 

Finding out that we have a healthy beautiful girl on our hands! 

What I’m looking forward to: I know this has nothing to do with pregnancy or maybe it does?? I've been looking forward to the smell and taste of pumpkin spice lattes for a few months now.. MMMMM

What I miss:  Having so much more energy!! And fitting into my skinny jeans.

 

 Big sister:I really feel like Evelynne is starting to realize change is coming.. I don't know how or even if she knows what's coming.. But her and I are praying for the new baby together and we're praying for Evelynne too. Being a big sister is not only a tough job but a fun and important one. I know without a doubt she has what it takes.

He's the One that really matters.

       

Sitting here with my morning latte this morning with  some banana bread. I'm surrounded by the peace and quietness that takes place before the day starts. Before the rush of the day takes place when every little thing seems to matter from getting the dishes done to checking  every "to-do" off my daily planner.

This is the time of the day when I usually feel God closest.  When I feel Him surrounding me and covering me with His captivating love, His incomparable wisdom, and strength that never gives up.

Realizing that I could have so much planned today, I could be doing so much.. But truly He's the One that really matters. It's not about me. It's not about Leon (who is starting his five day vacation today!!) and sometimes as much as I believe it, it's not even about my beautiful girls. God's the One who really matters today and  yesterday, and every day after this one.

He's the One I want and desire to please.. What matters to me is what He thinks. Not the moms who  seem to know it all, and not the people who seem to have me already figured out and try to define me.

He's the One who knows my future and holds it with His loving Hands. Because of Him I know that nothing in this world. The cares, the scars, the happenings can hold me down.

He's the One that really Matters. And my continuous prayer this morning and every day after is that I will always remember His presence, His promise, His Truth, His Love, That I can do all things through Him and that no matter what happens, no matter how I'm feeling, no matter what my day seems to be going through. That everyday is a great day because He is God and He is King. The One who brings healing to the sick, salvation for the lost, a place called Heaven for all those who gave and lost their lives because they believe Jesus is forever The King, love for those who seem unlovable, hope for those who feel hopeless, strength for those who are weak, a prosperous future for those who feel like they messed up and a love that's so grand and fulfilling. He's the One that truly and deeply matters in every aspect in our lives.

When we felt like the time was right to become a family of four.

                    

I've always wanted my kids to be close in age. I remember growing up with my twin sisters who were only 15 months younger then me and we were like best friends growing up. I would love for my children to have those kind of fun relationships with each other. 

Leon and I started talking about starting to expand our family when Evelynne was about seven months. We both agreed that we would be more comfortable with starting that process after Evelynne turned one.

November 25th came and went but neither one of us felt completely comfortable until around that February. Leon and I both felt led to start praying for our second baby. And soon after April we found out we were expecting. Our girls will be almost exactly two years apart and I think that's a great age gap for our family.

Deciding when the time is right to bring another baby into the world can be a hard decision.  There are so many questions you have to ask yourself as a family. I think the biggest question for us was as a married couple were we ready for another child  and was Evelynne ready to have a little sibling. And we really believe Evelynne would so love to have a little friend.

Leon and I also believe in Prayer. And how important it is to pray about things we're thinking about. And doing that we eventually felt a great peace about getting pregnant again. We know with God all of our needs will be provided with this little one. 

 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. -Philippians 4:6

  Hopefully you can relate to all of these Baby #2 talks this week!  Check out the other mama's blogs for even more!  And be sure to link up with us below if you also have a post on this.  

Like a Morning Cup of Coffee// From Here to Eternity// The Not Quite Military Wife//

A Cowboy's Life// My Delicious Adventure// Sadie Sky Boutique// Meet the Sullivan's//

Love and Life//  Foxy's Domestic Side// Everyday Love// Life of Faith

July 10:  Keeping your marriage alive with a toddler

July 17:  Favorite summer toddler activities

July 24:  Helping Your Toddler to Communicate (Words, emotions, etc.)

July 31:  Dealing with Separation Anxiety

Aug 7:    Car Trip Necessities

Aug 14:  Deciding when the time is right for baby #2 (and/or how to handle these questions)

Aug 21:  Tricks for eating out with your toddler

Aug 28:  Feeling confident as a mom (How to feel this way, Your struggle with, etc.)

An InLinkz Link-up

Thoughts about being a mama to another little lady.

If words could describe how I felt about being a mama to another little girl we'd be here for hours.. Some have asked me if I was disappointed about having another girl and some asked me if I was shocked since I was 101% positive I was having a boy lol.

I honestly thought without a doubt I was carrying a boy. I knew her as a boy and I prayed for her as a boy. I was so sure that  I could have made my announcement even before I had the sonogram.

But I honestly didn't think I was having a son because I wanted a son more then a girl. I just had strong feelings and confirmations. To be honest having a son scared me a bit.

I know it sounds so silly but it's true. It has always taken me a while to connect with boys/men and have only been able to connect with  few. Maybe it's because I'm super girly? Who knows! But I didn't at all feel ready for a son. Maybe it was out of fear of not being able to connect with him because I want to connect and have an amazing relationship with all of my children.   So when I found out I was having a girl I was not only  excited, I was a bit relieved.

I was having another girl, a best friend for Evelynne and that excites me so much! I know without a doubt that it's in God's plan for me to have a son down the road. He's given me so many confirmations. And I believe without a doubt I'll be ready for a little man who will capture my heart in a special way.. Who knows, maybe after two girls, I'll be on my knees begging God for a son who loves jumping in puddles and catching bugs. LOL It'll defiantly be something God will have to prepare me for. 

But before I end I am just going to mention again just how excited I am to be having a little girl! Raising little besties, collecting more hair bows, and enjoying all the sweet and beautiful things girls have to offer.

Mommy Moments

Welcome to Mommy Moments! Last week we had some great new link ups! Let's keep it up by sharing and promoting Mommy Moments and the wonderful community we have here! I have enjoyed getting to know all the new mamas linking up and sharing their lives with us! I can't wait to hear more from you all again this week!

Motherhood has its seriousness and frustration as well as its laughs. That's why we are here. Life is much easier when traveled with companions! So mamas, let's join together in the spirit of motherhood and share our moments together. We want to hear the happy, sad, tough, terrible, hilarious moments that make being a mother the best job in the world!

 The top viewed link this week belongs to Tawnya from All of Life's Little Adventures and her post Baby #2.  Tawnya shares personally with us about her struggle when it comes to planning for baby #2 and how hard it can be when surrounded by friends expecting their second. Thanks so much for sharing Tawnya!

The Life Of Faith

 The Not Quite Military Wife

Beautiful Family Affairs, 

 Like A Morning Cup Of Coffee

Now, link up your post!

Post can include anything related to mommy-hood, children, homemaking, pregnancy etc. If you aren't a mom yet, feel free to link up your preparation for motherhood, your journey as you try to conceive, or even a post that would be encouraging to the other moms in the party!

Then, explore some of the other posts in the link-up and say hello to some new blog friends! 

Please, pretty please, we'd love it if you would tweet or share the link up on Facebook so we can all make even more friends!

Tweet

We would also love it if you could add the Mommy Moments button to your post or blog so everyone knows where you are linking up! If you are not able to copy/paste the code on your page, please e-mail one of us and we would be happy to send you the code!

<div align="center"><a href="http://the-life-of-faith.blogspot.com//search/label/mommymoments" title="The Life Of Faith"><img src="http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k537/faithkonrath/cfa5ba11752f4e898055d03d33cf24e0.jpg" alt="The Life Of Faith" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

P.S. We will be having a new guest host every week! Want to be a guest host of the Mommy Moments Blog Hop? Send Faith a message at farmprincess14{at}gmail{dot}com. We would love to have you!

Colossians 3:17 
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

An InLinkz Link-up

Our "take with us" list when we hit the road.

Our daughter is constantly on the go. Her brain is always learning. She's always curious and she loves to constantly be doing something. I love that trait so much about her but boy is it tiring sometimes. Especially when you're going for a thirty minute car ride and she was bored after five minutes on the road EEkk!

So here is our list on what we take with us when we go out.

Books- Evelynne LOVES books. (YAAAY)  She loves looking at the pages, studying them and if you give her a Baby lit book, a Sophie the giraffe book  or a book with the open and close flaps she might just adopt you to be her best friend! We never leave the house without a book. It can keep her entertained for a good five minutes.. Which is why we usually pack more then one book. ;)

Toys- We usually bring with her some small toys to hang on to. But this girl doesn't leave the house without her Mr. Bear!

Snacks- Having snacks and drinks on hand is a given. It's hard for kids to be miserable when they have snacks.

A positive attitude-  It's so important to keep a positive look on things when you're in the car. Kids of all ages watch you and if they're getting a bit fussy and you're not calm about it it's only going to go down hill from there. So when Evelynne has had enough of the car ride Leon and I will usually tell her that she's doing a great job sitting there and we'll be there as soon as possible. After talking with her and putting on some music she usually calms down and just hangs.

  Hopefully you can find these tips helpful for your summer travels.  Make sure to check out the other mama's blogs for even more tips!  And be sure to link up with us below if you also have a post on this.

Like a Morning Cup of Coffee// From Here to Eternity// The Not Quite Military Wife//

A Cowboy's Life// My Delicious Adventure// Sadie Sky Boutique// Meet the Sullivan's//

Love and Life//  Foxy's Domestic Side// Everyday Love// Life of Faith

July 10:  Keeping your marriage alive with a toddler

July 17:  Favorite summer toddler activities

July 24:  Helping Your Toddler to Communicate (Words, emotions, etc.)

July 31:  Dealing with Separation Anxiety

Aug 7:    Car Trip Necessities

Aug 14:  Deciding when the time is right for baby #2 (and/or how to handle these questions)

Aug 21:  Tricks for eating out with your toddler

Aug 28:  Feeling confident as a mom (How to feel this way, Your struggle with, etc.)

An InLinkz Link-up